Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-08-17
RALLY ROUND THE FLAG.
The Great Falls Veterans About to
Form a Grand Army of the
Republic Post.

Steps are being taken to form here a
post of the Grand Army of the Republic,
so as to place the veterans in full fellow
ship with their comrades-in- arms through
out the union. Veterans are coming to
Great Fails in large numbers, and it is ex-
pected that they will all rally round the
G. A. r. post as readily as they rallied
round the flag when the union was in dan
ger. The veterans already here have
honorable records, and can tell thrilling
stories of deadly encounters, hair-breadth
escapes and hard-fought campaigns.
There is d. c. Ehrhart who joined the
army in his youth, took part in the capture
of Fort Donnelson, one of the first of
Grants great victories, and subsequently
was with those daring raiders who har
rassed Gen. Hood and prevented him
from thwarting Sherman's plans. Mr.
Ehrhart was in the cavalry and could re-
late many daring adventures in company
with the other boys in blue. Among the
veterans also is Pat Hughes, who fought
under Mcclellan in the advance on Rich.
mond, and the subsequent arduous retreat
when there was continuous fighting at
Malvern Hill, Oaks and other memorable
ttle-fields. MIR. Hughes was also at
Antietam where the union army won so
much renown. Col. James Kelly, another
Great Falls veteran, fought bravely from
the beginning to end in the civil war and
proved himself worthy companion-in-
arms of Sheridan, Meagher, Corcoran and
other Irish-Americans who won imperish
able fame on the battle field. George r.
Fields, one of the Green Mountain State
boys has also an honorable war record, and
so have many more who have laid aside
the sword to promote the advancement of
Montana and the greatness of Great Falls.
This is a period of much activity in the
ranks of the G. A. R. and it is believed
that authority to form post here will be
readily granted. Thenceforth the yeter-
ans will be accorded the post of honor in
all civic celebrations, and when the trains
are running they will exchange visits with
comrads in Butte, Helena and elsewhere.
On memorial day they may have the
pleasure of hearing in the town hall. that
is to be, an inspiring oration by Major
Maginnis Or some other eloquent soldier
of the union.
Regarding the G. A. r. in general, we
read that it is growing at an unprecedent-
ed rate. There are now at least $4,000
members in it. The increase in member
ship for the last calendar year was over
2S,000 and the reports which are now
coming in of the growth of 1887 are most
gratifying. Every department reports
large increase in membership, and
strengthening of interest in the order The
older the soldiers grow the more closIy
they are drawn together. They feel that
there are no friends like those who touch
ed elbows with them on the field of battle
no companions like those they meet in
the post room and at the campfire. This
feeling is increased from year to year, un-
til every man who wore the blue honora-
bly, will esteem-as he should d-member-
ship in the order as his highest privilege.
The quarter;centennial of the order will
occur in 1891, but long before that time
we expect that every living man who was
honorably discharged from the army, and
has since lived reputable life, will be in
active membership. The q. A. r. is ably
represented in the press by its organ the
National Tribune, which is published at
Washington, and edited by Byron Andrews
ard other popular writer's. The St. Paul
Pioneer Press also devotes a column to G..
A. r. topics in its weekly edition.